50 Card Making Sketches » Card Making

The Perfect Envelope For Your Homemade Cards

Jen — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:13:04 +0000

When we create homemade cards, most of us forget about the envelopes. We make stunning cards and then place them in a boring white envelope. But if we spend so much time creating a beautiful handmade card, doesn’t it only make sense that we would want to make the envelope look beautiful as well? After all, the envelope is the first thing that the receiver will see before they even open the card. Creating and decorating your own envelopes does not have to be difficult and can take as much or as little of your time as you desire.

Before we look into envelope decoration ideas, you must first know how to create an envelope. You could of course, decorate a regular white envelope, but if your card is an irregular shape or you just want to have some more fun, why not make your own?
Begin by placing your homemade card in the center of a piece of paper or cardstock. Choose any colour you like. Then fold each side of the paper inwards. Leave a small amount of space between the card and each fold of the paper to ensure that the envelope will be slightly larger than your card. Press firmly against the two side folds so that they lay flat. Do the same with the top folds.

Next, remove the card and flatten out the paper. At each corner of the paper, the creases should form a small square or rectangle. Carefully cut these off. At the bottom of each side piece, place a small dab of glue. Then, fold up the bottom piece so that it glues on. Now, select another piece of paper of the same color and cut out a small square that is slightly smaller than your envelope. Glue it on to the back of your envelope for a backpiece and voila! You are finished and can begin to decorate.

There are several ways that you can decorate an envelope. Use the same creativity to decorate your envelope that you used to create your homemade cards. Feel free to use markers, gel pens or scrapbooking embellishments to decorate your envelope. If you are sending your envelope through the mail, be sure that you don’t add anything too heavy that may fall off (like buttons). Many people like to decorate their envelopes with fancy writing, satin flowers, stickers or ribbon.

You could also use photographs. Next to the destination address, glue a small picture of the recipient. Similarly, next to your address add a small picture of you. If you have one, you can also add a picture of the two of you together.

When creating your own homemade cards, why not go all out and decorate your envelope as well? A decorated envelope will add uniqueness to your card that the recipient probably rarely sees. Not only that, but a uniquely decorated envelope will make the recipient excited to open it and see what is inside.

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Card Making Comes From The Heart

Jen — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 06:37:20 +0000

Making cards is a craft that comes from the heart. In today’s fast paced society everything happens in an instant. We have ready-made foods that we just zap in the microwave to prepare a meal. We have washing machines so we don’t have to spend all day cleaning and scrubbing our clothes. We just put them inside the machine, add some powder and push a few buttons. And we have greeting cards that we can pick up in a supermarket, book store or gift store and simply sign our names on.

None of these activities require much thought or effort on our part. That is why it is so special when someone goes to the trouble of hand-making a card for another person!

When you sit down to make a card for a loved one, you are devoting your time and effort to create something special and unique just for them. You think about what they might like – their favourite colours, their favourite themes and their style. As a result, your card design reflects their personality and what is important to them.

It’s a way of recognising and appreciating who they are…and there is no greater gift than to show someone you care about them just the way they are.

It also gives us a great opportunity to place a heart-felt message inside and further express how much that person means to us.

When creating a card like this for someone special, you are making a loving gesture that is sure to be treasured. You are wearing your heart on your sleeve and letting that person know how important they are to you. And the recipient of such a card can’t help but smile and feel special as they open your card.

Making cards for others is a gift that gives back. You will not only make someone else’s day with your efforts, but also your own. It is an amazing feeling when your creative efforts are appreciated!

The Original Post is Located Here: Card Making Comes From The Heart

Essential Card Making Supplies

Jen — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:31:57 +0000

Card making supplies are the basis for any handmade card. But, it’s not always easy to know exactly what you need for making your own cards, especially if you are new to the craft.

There are so many choices available when it comes to shopping for card making supplies. Stores are filled with so many pretty and cute items to choose from. So how do we know which ones are essential and which are the optional extras?

Here is a list of the must-haves for making special homemade cards you will just love:

1. Cardstock in a variety of colors. Cardstock is perhaps the most important of your card making supplies as it will form the base for most of your cards as well as be an essential element of your designs. Make sure you keep a wide range of colors in your craft room so you always have what you need on hand.

2. Patterned papers for color, texture and interest.

3. Adhesives and perhaps an adhesive remover like a glue eraser.

4. A pair of good quality scissors, a paper trimmer and perhaps a craft knife.

5. Embellishments

Here is where you can really have some fun. There are so many different embellishments available that you can select whatever appeals to you and suits your personality.

Types of card making embellishments include stickers, rub-ons, cut-outs, buttons, brads, eyelets, ribbons, deco tapes, flowers, fabric, lace, sewing thread, glitter and more. They all come in a wide range of colours, styles and designs so there’s sure to be something to suit everyone.

6. Tools

There are also a wide range of tools on the market that help you create your own card making embellishments. These include punches, stencils, stamps, circle cutters and die-cutting machines like the Cricut.

While tools can be very useful card making supplies and a lot of fun to play with, it is best to wait awhile before investing in a wide range of tools as you can easily end up with a lot of things you won’t use.

Making cards for the special people in your lives is a fun and rewarding hobby. I hope this guide has helped you choose the card making supplies you need to get started.

The Original Post is Located Here: Essential Card Making Supplies